Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM), WA
Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM), WA
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I'm a 6 year 11B SSG. My concern is that I was at JBLM for 4 years in a cav unit that put me on a mounted ATGM strkyer, I did an inter post transfer to an Infantry Battalion but only have in reality 6 months of dismount time before PCSing to Ft Carson where I was put onto a bradley as gunner. I was promoted sept of 2019 to SSG with only very little leg time due to being told my skills where required elsewhere. I have only one rotation to kuwait no arcoms no tab only 3 aams. Although this is only my second duty station I kinda of feel like my career is a failed career, maybe I being to hard on myself or feeling sorry for myself but I feel like I should have more experience than I have as a SSG. I am very aware that deployments doesn't happen to everyone especially now, not going to lie though out of the 3 combat teams here I was sent to the one that wasn't going to Afghanistan only Kuwait so seeing others with their patches and badges makes me a little envious. I am currently serving as a section leader. I have the choice of going recruiting but it would not be a sincere choice or I can ride out my last 18 months and get out. Any advice or criticism is welcomed I'm legitimately looking for a potential direction. Everyone says I am a good nco and good soldier which I appreciate but I have never had a boot up my ass for seriously screwing up which I know I have and that's not a shot against my leadership I just perform when the stakes are higher so again looking for a potential path to take myself and my family of 6 thanks.
Posted in these groups: 
Fort Carson
Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM)
InfantryUSARCENT (formerly Third Army)
Fort Carson Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM) InfantryUSARCENT (formerly Third Army)
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 10
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You didn't tell us what you wanted to do, so it's hard to read your mind.
If you feel like you're a failure in your MOS then get more training. Volunteer for Ranger School if you want to be light or Airborne, volunteer for Master Gunner if you want to stay Mechanized. If your unit won't send you, then have your branch send you. You will attend TDY enroute to your next duty station.
Six years is not a long time in the Army and there is still plenty of time to develop, take challenging assignments, and attend schools; hopefully take some college while you're at it. Pull down the 11B Professional Development Model and look at where you should be at your rank, it's located on the Office of the Chief of Infantry website.
If you feel like you're a failure in your MOS then get more training. Volunteer for Ranger School if you want to be light or Airborne, volunteer for Master Gunner if you want to stay Mechanized. If your unit won't send you, then have your branch send you. You will attend TDY enroute to your next duty station.
Six years is not a long time in the Army and there is still plenty of time to develop, take challenging assignments, and attend schools; hopefully take some college while you're at it. Pull down the 11B Professional Development Model and look at where you should be at your rank, it's located on the Office of the Chief of Infantry website.
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First. Don’t look at anything as a failure because you were given the short stick of where the army needed you. It’s what you do with the places you are. Look at the 11B career map. You’re in a mechanized unit. Go to Master Gunner it will do WONDERS for not just you but also your unit. Look at all the other things you can do as well like UMO, or HAZMAT even UPL. Those are often over looked courses but if you hold those additional duties it’s going to look great on paper and help your unit and company out a lot.
Additionally if you’re a good NCO and you lead your soldiers and give them something to emulate then that’s the most gratifying thing you can do in your career. Train your young bucks and strive for greatness down every avenue you take. Look at the bigger picture and you’ll do just fine. If you want to make it a career then do it only because you love your job no matter where you go. If you don’t love your job then you can’t lead soldiers effectively in my honest opinion. Just take a breath and don’t go recruiting. Try DS or maybe even become a MG instructor after your squad leader time. Your career can be in your hands at least a little bit. But definitely not all the time.
Additionally if you’re a good NCO and you lead your soldiers and give them something to emulate then that’s the most gratifying thing you can do in your career. Train your young bucks and strive for greatness down every avenue you take. Look at the bigger picture and you’ll do just fine. If you want to make it a career then do it only because you love your job no matter where you go. If you don’t love your job then you can’t lead soldiers effectively in my honest opinion. Just take a breath and don’t go recruiting. Try DS or maybe even become a MG instructor after your squad leader time. Your career can be in your hands at least a little bit. But definitely not all the time.
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Go to Selection, SOF, SF or Ranger. SOF and Ranger you will remain an 11B but will have skill identifiers. All of which will provide you challenges with answers and decisions you never had. They will tell you , you really have to want it. Go all the way and you will see the world!
(2)
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